Knights salute Josh King with new NRL deal

Newcastle have extended the contract of rookie Josh King for one more NRL season, keeping him at the Knights until the end of 2018.

King, 21, saw fit to re-sign with the club after making his debut in round seven and playing eight games.

He has been named to make his first career start in Sunday's clash against Manly.

Coach Nathan Brown said he was keen to develop King, a local junior, as the Knights continue their long rebuild.

"Josh is a good person with a great work ethic," Brown said.

"Over the journey he will continue to develop into a player that other players want to play with."

The Knights still have plenty of work to do for next year's roster following the departure of Tariq Sims to St George Illawarra mid-season, and the retirement of veteran Jeremy Smith at the end of the year.

Established second-rower Robbie Rochow remains unsigned for the 2017 season.